Although there could be many interpretations of this excerpt, a possible one is that it expresses the theme of reason vs. instinct. The dialogue between the two characters makes this clear. When discussing the qualities of hunting, Rainsford argues that the way the jaguar experiences the sport is irrelevant. This is because jaguars cannot reason. On the other hand, Whitney believes "reason" is not the only thing that needs to be taken into account. Jaguars have instinct, which gives rise to feelings such as fear.
